This Weekend's Fireworks Guide: Picking 6 Major Festivals Across Japan!
Discover 6 massive fireworks shows across Japan from Sep 11-13! Highlighting Joso Kinugawa (22,000 shells), Katakai (world's 4-foot shell), and Tohoku Art Fireworks.
As pleasant autumn weather arrives across Japan, mid-September brings an extraordinary weekend of world-class pyrotechnic displays. From September 11 (Fri) to September 13 (Sun), 2026, premier fireworks festivals launching 10,000+ shells are scheduled nationwide. The biggest highlight is Ibaraki's 59th Joso Kinugawa Fireworks Festival, launching an astounding 22,000 shells crafted by Japan's greatest pyrotechnic masters. We also feature Niigata's historic Katakai Festival with its world-record 4-foot shell, Miyagi's Tohoku Mirai Art Fireworks, Numata in Gunma, Sakata in Yamagata, and Kushiro Donpaku in Hokkaido.
Major Fireworks Across Japan: September 11–13, 2026#
| Event Name | Location | Date | Shell Count | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59th Joso Kinugawa Fireworks | Joso, Ibaraki (Kinugawa Riverbed) |
Sep 12 (Sat) | Approx. 22,000 Shells [Weekend Largest] |
Top Prime Minister's Award-winning master pyrotechnicians present supreme artistic shells and musical starmines. |
| Katakai Festival Dedication Fireworks | Ojiya, Niigata (Asahara Shrine) |
Sep 11 (Fri) Sep 12 (Sat) |
Approx. 15,000 Shells (2 Days Total) |
The World's Largest 4-Foot Shell (800m diameter bloom) fired at 22:00 both nights as sacred shrine dedications. |
| Tohoku Mirai Art Fireworks 2026 | Watari, Miyagi (Torinoumi Park) |
Sep 13 (Sun) | Approx. 12,000 Shells | Non-stop artistic fireworks synchronized with Southern All Stars & Keisuke Kuwata hit songs down to 1/30th of a second. |
| 14th Numata Fireworks | Numata, Gunma (Tone Riverbed) |
Sep 12 (Sat) | 10,000+ Shells | Ultra-dense 45-minute non-stop barrage of 10,000+ fireworks with music and lasers. |
| Sakata Fireworks 2026 | Sakata, Yamagata (Mogami Riverbed) |
Sep 12 (Sat) | Approx. 10,000 Shells | Super wide starmines stretching across the wide Mogami River with huge 2-foot shells. |
| 23rd Kushiro Donpaku Fireworks | Kushiro, Hokkaido (Kushiro Port) |
Sep 12 (Sat) | Approx. 10,000 Shells | Eastern Hokkaido's largest port festival featuring spectacular 3-foot maritime shells. |
Featured Pick: Joso Kinugawa Fireworks (22,000 Shells)#
Taking top honors this weekend with 22,000 shells, the Joso Kinugawa Fireworks began in 1965 to pray for flood recovery and civic prosperity. Today, premier pyrotechnic artists—including Nomura Fireworks (Mito), Yamauchi Fireworks (Yamanashi), and Mori Fireworks (Aichi)—compete to deliver Japan's highest quality fireworks art, lighting up the autumn night sky.
- Book Reserved Seating: Major shows (Joso, Katakai, Tohoku) offer reserved bleachers for relaxed viewing.
- Bring Warm Outerwear: Nighttime temperatures can drop below 20°C along riverbanks and coastal venues.
- Use Public Transit & Shuttle Buses: Major traffic jams occur near all venues; utilize official direct shuttles from main railway stations.